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While Arequipa is no Huaraz with it's magnificient snow-capped mountains and glaciers
it still has it's fair share of beautiful and mighty mountains to climb. Some of which
are actually not that technically challenging. El Chachani at 6075m for
example is considered one of the easiest 6000m peaks in the world.
Easier than the Huyuna Potosi near La Paz in Bolivia. Another great option and by far
the most popular is El Misti. The famous 5822m signature Volcano prominently
towering over Arequipa.
Other options in the region include El Mismi, which at 5597m does not attract with it's height
but much more the fact that at it's slopes lies - now confirmed by The National Geographic -
the source of the mighty Amazonas river in the form of a mountain lake.
Another less popular option is El Ampato, which at 6288m actually
breaks the 20'000 foot mark.
Another nice little barrier to break. Plus on Ampato is where the famous mummy "La Juanita" had been
found in 1995. The highest mountain in the region, the Coropona (6425m) can as well be climbed.
The biggest problem with climbing in Arequipa is La Soroche, Altitude Sickness.
A lot of the peaks are
actually not that technically difficult. But at 2300m Arequipa
is situated almost 800m lower than Huaraz. And the mountain peaks aren't really any lower here, making
the altitude difference much bigger. It is thus recommendable to first acclimatise somewhere higher for
a good week. Like do Cusco and Puno first before coming down to Arequipa. Or spend some time up in the
Colca Canyon. Cabanaconde is at 3300m and Chivay at 3700m. Both lovely towns with plenty of accomodations.
If you come from Lima, via Ica and Nasca to Arequipa and directly try to Climb El Misti or worse El Chachani
you will be most likely in one big world of pain. Well that, and it can potentially kill you.
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Two Days Volcano Misti (5822m/19100f)
By far the most popular climb in town, if it can be called a climb. It's more like a quite
quite steep and long walk up a gravely volcanoe and requires no extra equipment or technical
skills. Just good legs, stamina and big lungs as air is thin up towards the peak.
The 2 day tours typically start in Arequipa by 4x4 that takes you up to 3400m early
on the first day. From there it's a few hours up the mountain on good treks to the base
camp at 4800m, where you'll dine and get a few hours of sleep. On the second day you'll
get up at 2-3am to make the final ascent to the peak. That part is much harder due to the
altitude and the thin as well as the gravely grounds. Take one step forward and half a one
back kinda deal.
On the top you'll enjoy the views and the exhiliration for a bit then it's
back downhill to the basecamp. And downhill with style if you desire: As the top
of the volcanoe is just gravel it is possible to just run straight down and descend
back to the base camp in record time. Definitely an incredibly fun experience you'll never forget.
Back at the basecamp, it's time to pack up and head back down to where the 4x4 will pick you
up and drive you back to Arequipa.
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Two Days El Chachani (6075m)
El Chanchani, lesser known neighbour of El Misti is actually higher and at 6075m considered
one of if not the easiest 6000m peak in the world. The climb is technically more difficult than
the climb of El Misti and crampons and Ice Pick are required (and provided by the agency).
The climb is a typical 2 day summit tour. First day to get to base camp and the second day early up
to get to the summit and then back to basecamp and after that to the rendez-vous point with the 4x4 car
that brings you back to Arequipa.
On the first day you'll be picked up by a 4x4 at 8:30am that drives you to roughly 5000m. From there
it's a two to three hour walk to base camp. There you'll have diner and go to bed early. On the second
day it's a very early up at 2am. After a breakfast you'll start the seven to eight hours to the summit
with fantastic views of the surroundings.
After that back to basecamp and then the rendez-vous point with the 4x4 that will bring you back to
Arequipa around 4pm.
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Four Days El Ampato (6288m)
El Ampato (the toad) is at 6288m well above the 20'000 foot mark and was once home to
La Juanita, the famous mummy that was found there in 1995. She had been
sacrificed to the mountain gods by the Incas.
There are three ways to do El Ampato. The East Side Route via 4x4 transportation in 4 days and
three nights. Or the same route by public transportation in 7 days and 6 nights. Plus the summit
can be reached from Cabanaconde in the Colca Canyon using ancient Inca Paths and passing a lovely
mountain lake in 7 days and 6 nights. You'll have to add another half day for getting to Cabanaconde
plus another to get back.
Any of the routes can be done between April and December and require a bit of technical climbing
skills.
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3-5 Days El Mismi & Source of the Amazonas River
This is a particularly easy - though not necesarily short - climb requiring no technical abilities
whatsoever. The duration of the trek largely depends on the route you take and if you are more interested
in the source of the mighty amazon river than the peak itself, then you can leave it out as well to safe
more time.
El Mismi is in the heart of the Colca Canyon and provides spectacular mountain scenery on a very easy
trek if you are well acclimatised. Tours can either start in Arequipa and include transportation or
directly in the Colca Canyon in Tuti. Some tours offer some sightseeing on the first day drive into the
Colca Canyon.
The tour is offered from April to December as in the rainy months of January through March the weather
is often not very good and there is chance of snow.
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Four Days El Coropuna (6425m)
El Coropuna is at 6425m the highest peak of Southern Peru and was once believed to be the
highest peak in all of South Americia. El Coropuna is located in the Cotahuasi Canyon region, the deepest
canyon in the world. The climb is slightly technical that requires crampons,
ice axe as well as rope (all provided by the agency).
But doesn't require much previous experience. On the other hand very good acclimatisation is a must.
The climb is usually done in four days where the first and last day are spent getting from Arequipa
out to the Cotahuasi Canyon region (~4200m) and back. The second day is used to get to basecamp on
roughly 5200m. A good 4 hour walk from the drop off point of the public buses. On the third day the
summit is done, which is roughly five hours from basecamp. After the summit it's back to basecamp for
another night.
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